Showtime, the pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa region, will establish its headquarters in Dubai Media City (DMC). Target date for the project to be operational is quarter one 2004.

Initially, Showtime will relocate both its play-out and up-linking operations from Cairo, Egypt, and its sales and marketing activities currently operating in Dubai to a 50,000 square feet purpose-built headquarters at a prime location in DMC.

Subsequently, further technical and production operations will transfer from London to the Dubai Media City headquarters, which will ultimately accommodate over 400 staff.

The Showtime facility will feature a multi-million dollar broadcast and transmission center to be operational in early 2004, together with advanced call center and online customer service functions.

DMC will provide up-link services for Showtime's channels to two transponders on the NileSat 102 satellite, with services to a third transponder being added in the future.

Showtime has also signed a distribution deal with the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone to provide premium television entertainment alongside broadband Internet and cutting edge IP telephony to residential homes and offices across the campus. — (menareport.com)